Why are Pitt fans so whiney?

It's like an annual rite of passage. Every year during the football off-season. Some Pitt fan, somewhere feels it necessary to whine about the the fact that they don't get to play PSU in football anymore AND that it's all Joe Paterno's fault. Check out this entry pulled from, of all places, a "Steelers Tribute" page...

Most Ridiculous Pittsburgh Sports Myths - #7 Joe Paterno is a Class Act

The best part is his whole argument is predicated on the fact that Joepa won't play Pitt anymore. (Which consequently is a LIE! Joe made several attempts to re-up the series but Pitt felt it was unfair to ask for a 2 for 1 exchange. Unfortunately, Penn State has a 110,000 seat stadium to fill and generate revenue from. Pitt fans can't even find Heinz Field, let alone fill it up.) I also like that he refers to Pitt-Penn State as the greatest college football rivalry ever. (Huh? Isn't Joepa like 23-8 vs. the Panthers? What kind of rivalry is that?) When are Pitt fans going to wake-up and realize that ONLY Pitt fans see Pitt-Penn State as a rivalry. PSU fans have more important things to worry about, like playing in a legitimate football conference for one.

Don't get me wrong. I think it would be neat if PSU and Pitt played each other every year (Heck, it would give us another win 95% of the time) but I'm not going to lose any sleep over it.

So if I may, I'd like to change the #7 Most Ridiculous Pittsburgh Sports Myth to...

"Pitt football fans have grip on reality".

We are... Penn State!

The NHL Season...

Alright, just as the NHL season sits at the brink of disaster the owners and the players suddenly start to exchange meaningful proposals at the last possible moment. I was watching "Sportscenter" last night and saw clips 6 or 7 NHL players chiming in on this madness. One of them was Matthew Barnaby. That's right Matthew -freakin'- Barnaby, the voice of reason. I was half expecting him to just start pummeling the reporters. Anyway, it occured to me at that moment that this was the best possible scenario for the NHL. Nothing would grab the sports headlines more than... "NHL Season Saved at 11th Hour". It certainly has more sizzle than... "NHL Players and Owners Agree to New Contract" (written several months earlier).

Hey, whether or not the freakin' season happens or not is anyone's guess at this point but at least the NHL infused drama and energy into what has otherwise been a yawn-inspiring news story the past 6 months.

Here's to hoping they make it back on the ice this season... if for no other reason than hear more from Matthew Barnaby, my favorite diplomat.

The Case for Joepa - Part One

It seems ridiculous that anyone would need to come to the defense of a college football icon like Joe Paterno. But alas, today we live in a "sports talk" society. One where every Ya-hoo with a microphone and a transmitter feels the need to spout off their ever-changing hot & cold opinions. One week, "such and such team" looks unbeatable, a shoe-in for the Super Bowl. The next week, they are a collection of bums who should all be cut, dragged into the street and mocked by passers-by. But I digress...

Every once in a great while I will find a column or article that echoes my sentiments. (Although I have to admit these days they are becoming few and far between. ) Here's a great one from the NY Times about JoePa's recent success on the recruiting trail. Enjoy and "Fight on State!"...

Paterno's 40th Recruiting Class a Reunion of Talent

The Mighty Thor